Minorities and Philosophy
Vanderbilt is proud to be entering the fourth year of our chapter of Minorities and Philosophy (MAP), founded in May 2017. MAP is a student-run organization with approximately 80 chapters in philosophy departments in the US and abroad. Each chapter aims to examine and address issues of minority participation in academic philosophy.
Vanderbilt’s chapter hosts a variety of events, including panels, reading groups, coffee hours, and informal conversations. We encourage participation from undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. The events are forums for members of our community to discuss the challenges facing minorities in academic philosophy, work on areas of philosophical study that address the experiences of socially or philosophically marginalized groups, and engage with philosophical texts written by minority authors or from minority perspectives. Long term, we aim to promote inclusivity, solidarity, and the celebration of difference in the Philosophy Department.
Co-Chairs 2023-2024
Our leadership is comprised of four equal co-chairs, all graduate students:
Andrew Burnside
Kelly Cunningham
Alyssa Tudor
Peiying Yang
Faculty Advisor:
Diana Heney
For more information on the MAP chapter at Vanderbilt, please email any of the co-chairs. All email addresses can be found on this page.
Join our Facebook page, called Minorities in Philosophy (MAP) at Vanderbilt.
Explore the official website for MAP where you can find a list of chapters, past events, end-of-year reports (compiled based on the feedback of MAP chapters), and further resources.
Events
Upcoming Events
Spring 2024
VAMP & MAP Presents:
HuaPing Lu-Adler:
"The Trap of a 'History of Philosophy':
a Reflection on Power and Structural Change."
Friday Feb 9th, 10am-12pm, Furman 106 and on Zoom .
This event will feature a presentation by our guest speaker (Lu-Adler), followed by commentary from two graduate students: Alyssa Tudor and Katherine Martha.
Please direct questions and requests for more information to Katherine Martha: (katherine.m.pier@vanderbilt.edu).
"Women in Bioethics"
Join Vanderbilt's MAP chapter and the Undergraduate Bioethics Club for a panel discussion on student and faculty research in bioethics.
Tuesday, March 19th 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Eskind Biomedical Library 238
Please direct questions and requests for more information to Katherine Martha (katherine.m.pier@vanderbilt.edu).
Past Events
Fall 2023
"Getting In and Getting Through"
Join Vanderbilt's MAP Chapter for a Q&A on pursuing a Graduate Degree in Philosophy.
Friday, October 27th, 2023 from 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Furman Hall 003 (Large conference room downstairs in the Language Center.)
Email Kelly Cunningham for more information.
Fall 2022
"Mentor Night" 
Friday, November 4th | 5:30 PM -7:00 PM, Furman Hall 114
This event is open to graduate students in philosophy and adjacent disciplines.
Critical Phenomenology Monthly Reading Group.
Meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of the month from
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Location will be announced prior to meetings via email. Join on AnchorLink or email Kelly Cunningham if you'd like
to join us at our next meeting!
Fall 2021- Spring 2022
Abolition Reading Group
2021-22 Reading Group Schedule
Spring 2021
"Getting in and Getting Through": Grad School Q&A
Monday, May 10th | 4:00 PM on Zoom
Thinking about grad school in philosophy? Have questions about the process? Join us for a Q&A panel with professors Dr. Diana Heney and Dr. Karen Ng, and graduate students Dr. Takunda Matose, Andrew Burnside, Holly Longair, Emily Radigan, and Kelly Cunningham.
Fall 2019- Spring 2020
The Politics of Recognition Reading Group
Email any of the co-chairs for readings. Find the fall schedule here and the spring schedule here.
Fall 2018- Spring 2019
Post-Colonial Studies Biweekly Reading Group.
"Philosophy in the Age of Trumpism" - a faculty panel and discussion co-sponsored by Vanderbilt's MAP Chapter. March 21, 6:00-7:30pm, Furman 209.
Spring 2018
Disability Studies Biweekly Reading Group.
Fall 2017
Epistemic Injustice Biweekly Reading Group.
“Is Philosophy for Everybody (Straight, Cis, Able-bodied, White Men)? A Panel/Discussion with Minorities and Philosophy.” September 22nd, 3:30 - 5:30pm, Furman 109